Blockade of the different enzymatic steps in the synthesis of brain amines and memory (CAR) in hypobaric hypoxic rats treated and untreated with L. dopa.

L. Dopa associated with an extracerebral inhibitor of dopadecarboxylase is able to protect the rat against the deleterious effects of hypobaric hypoxia on a conditioned avoidance response. L. Dopa loses its protective effect against hypoxia if tyrosine hydroxylase, dopadecarboxylase, or dopamine beta hydroxylase is previously blocked. L. Dopa's protective effect must therefore be due to an indirect action on the endogenous catecholamine metabolism.